Development of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century New York - Essay Example

Brief History of New York New York is a in the northern US. It was initially explored by Samuel de Champlain and Henry Hudson at the time when it was occupied by Dutch. Later it fell to the English and became an area of great economic prosperity and the nation’s financial centre. It is boarded by Canada and the united sates of Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It has a population of about 19,300,000. European settlement commenced in the 16th century where it was under Dutch colony. The Dutch West Indies Company captured slaves from Africa to work as trade labourers. They built the fort and stockade while some were released by the Dutch (Burnett, 2010, 27). After the English took over the territory from Dutch, the new town was named New York, and continued to deliver slaves from Africa and Caribbean. The slaves greatly contributed to the growth of colonial an independent New York by serving as domestic workers, shipping and doing artisan works. Areas bordering New York were a base for battles of the American Revolution war, including the largest battle of Brooklyn. In the 1820s, the New York government abolished slave trade. Beginning from the middle of nineteenth century, new immigrants from Europe began settling in the city to work in the booming industries. Historically, New York serves as a centre for immigrants while its cultural and economic influences made it a most crucial town centre in the US and the whole world (Jackson, 2000, 581). Economic Status New York grew as a commercial centre, initially because of Alexander Hamilton’s policies and then, trade expanded with the opening of the Erie Canal leading to increase in population, wealth and power as metropolitan and cultural centre. New York City continued to grow as a concern for social change, abolition of slave trade, women’s movement and increasing immigration. Industries expanded in the city in the early twentieth century. Major markets included finance, clothing advertising, publishing, leisure and business. Many institutions emerged at the time such as Madison Avenue’s advertising centre, Times Square and Broadway’s theatre district (Riis, 1997, 56). War and Immigration Immigration in the nineteenth and twentieth century came in two phases. Old immigration composed of Irish and Germans and new ones from central and Eastern Europe. Two immigration centres were established: Castle Garden and Ellis Island. The United States began levying tax for all new immigrants, 50 cents per head. Inspection processes also began for third class passengers. First and second class passengers were not scanned for physical diseases and did not undergo a lot of questioning. The great potato famine in Ireland increased the number of immigrants entering the US through the port of New York City. Other immigrants were from Italy and Ireland (Foner, 2000, 80 & Dolan, 2010, 354). Political Status Initially, political parties did not exist. Leadership fell on the hands of local elites and leading families. Voting procedures were undemocratic because only white adult males were allowed to possess the voters’ card. Appeals for election candidates were not seriously taken. Voting was done by voice, citizens had little say in presidential elections and only few voted. Election participation was generally low since women did not vote. The eighteenth century saw a revolution in American politics; policies for voting procedures were established. Voice voting was abolished and participation in voting increased. Electoral candidates could then appealing using speeches, newspapers, parades, rallies, and barbecues to quest for political support. Property qualifications for voting and leadership were abolished under the new constitution, all adult males were allowed to vote, whether rich or poor. Later, the tax paying and military serving qualifications were abolished and universal white manhood suffrage was established. More polling stations were opened and secret ballot was instituted. Women including African Americans were allowed to vote (Keith, 1990, 96). At the same time, public opinion was promptly responded by the judiciary through elections instead of appointment of judges. Local elites were replaced by professional politicians. Citizens had the opportunity to realize that freemasons were using their political power to enrich themselves. They had now known how to express themselves in the fight for their democratic rights. A national census was conducted in 2000 which saw the increase in taxation, a move that drove many companies out of the city and prevented others from being established. Tourism remained a strong sector, as well as the financial district in Manhattan. Economy rose at a high rate especially growth of information technology (Kenneth, 1991, 31). The Concept of Development Development refers to the economic aspects of a process of an economic, political, social and cultural change in a given society. Economic development is different from economic growth since it involves structural changes, employment patterns, institutional changes and changes in perceptions. For better economic change, there should be an increase in national income, material living standards for a greater part of the society. The purpose of development is to improve the livelihoods of a specific group of people or society. This encompasses securing jobs, providing medical facilities, proper nutrition, clean water, cheap transport means, education opportunities and adequate security. Development is measured by the degree at which people meet their basic needs. It can also be measured by social and demographic statistics on mortality and fertility rates. Other social statistics gives information about the quality of life and are linked to economy, environment and politics. Whether a country is industrialised or not helps to measure the equality or inequality in income distribution and land resources. Sustainable development is that which is able to meet the needs of the present population without considering how the generations in future will meet their own needs (Sen, 1996, 342). The political status of a society will determine its speed of development. In a democratic government, people are entitled to equal rights and freedoms including movement, expression, and religion among others. In the process of exercising their rights and respect for others, they will be in a position to work extra to meet their daily needs. They will express themselves on issues affecting them, and provide public opinion on good leadership. A secure environment allows people to move freely without fear. An undemocratic society is characterised by insecurity, fear of expression and exploitation. In such situations, people cannot realize their full potential. Hence, there is increased poverty, poor residential areas, unemployment and illiteracy. Development only occurs where people are given opportunities to actualize their aspirations (Keith, 1990, 96). Interaction between Commerce, Immigration and Democracy in Development The war immigrants helped in constructing skyscrapers and landmarks in the city as well as empire building and the Brooklyn Bridge. In the northern parts of the state, there was expansion of glass factories and machinery. The place also became an agricultural centre in selling apples, beef and dairy products and winemaking. After the Second World War, there was decline in railway transport, causing the division between New York and its neighbours. This division increased especially when New York became independent in its democracy and voting. War immigrants were forced to undertake menial jobs. Employed immigrants provided manual labour in New York industries as cooks, servants, waiters and house helps. Immigration rate skyrocketed and gave birth to a mixed population of about two Million (Dickens, 1982, 90). The city had a very important role in the development and history of America. However, in the early twenty first century, its worth increased with the Al Qaeda terrorist attacks in September 2011. Commercial jet airliners were hijacked on their way from Boston, Massachusetts, to Los Angeles, California. The pentagon was also bombed. The attacks caused the death of 3000 New York citizens. The city was a target for the terrorists because of its financial strength in America. After the revolutionary war, British began using the city as a base for expeditions against other targets. New York boarders were defined where east of Lake Champlain became Vermont and the western boarders of the state were settled. New York became a national capital under George Washington as the first president of the United States. The capital moved to Albany and then New York. This made it become a centre for growth in transportation, commerce and industry. The opening of Erie Canal secured the city’s economic dominance. It joined the Atlantic Ocean and the great lakes and created a wide economic domination for New York City. Ready markets for agricultural products were established by opening of the canal (Rosenwaike, 1972, 58). After the Second World War, discrimination in employment sector was abolished and soldiers had the opportunity to afford higher education. The city was obliged to establish private universities which could handle soldiers since private institutions could not accommodate the immigrants. The State University of New York was created under governor Dawey. After the war, the state concentrated on offering services rather than producing goods. The defence industry declined in its operations, soldiers replaced female workers in the industries. Industries shifted to the south and west in a bid to reduce taxation and acquire low –wage workers. The middle class society increased and formed suburbs such as the Long Island. Large cities stopped growing at the time. The massive transportation forced New York to begin constructing highways (Milton M, 2001, 75). In the late twentieth century, majority of New York workers secured employment in the new telecommunication and high technology industries. Businessmen continued to establish small companies and industries while former ones collapsed. New policies were adopted and the dramatic urban improvement helped reduce the rate of crime and urban poverty. The city also became a cultural centre ranging from hip hop and rap music, the genre that increased in popularity until today. Television programmes increased as well as a centre for cable networks. National newspapers such as wall street journal and New York Times were born. New York became a leading market in offering financial services such as banking, stock market, and investment banking (Burnett, 2010, 202). References Brown, M., Jones, S. and Miller, S. (1996) Debating the Democratic Peace, New York, Oxford University Press. Burnett, G. (2010), New York In the Nineteenth Century, New York, Oxford University Press. Dickens, C (1982) American Notes, London, Chapman and Hall.  Dolan, P. (2010) Immigrants in the City: New York’s Irish and German Catholics. Foner, N. (2000) From Ellis Island to JFK: Two Great Waves of Immigration. Yale University Press. Jackson, J. (2000) The Encyclopaedia of New York City. Yale University Press. Keith, W. (1990) Policy and Political Science, New York, Cambridge University Press. Kenneth, C. (1991) Democratic Eloquence, New York, Liver right. Kenny, K. (2008) Irish Immigrants in the United States, E-Journal USA. Milton M. (2001) The Empire State: A History of New York. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press. Sen, A. (1996) Development As Freedom, New York, Oxford University Press. Riis, J. (1997 New York in the Nineteenth Century: How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York, New York: Penguin Books. Rosenwaike, I. (1972) Population History of New York City, Syracuse: Syracuse University Press. The First Slum in America. The New York Times. 2001 September 30. Read More